Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-01-07

1t IL especially desirable in this etate. where
the chief industry is agriculture, that the
transportation rates be as low as IL conststeD t
with fair return on the actual capital In
vested in the roads. Indeed H. IL objectionable
II the orlgioal cost OF a road furnishes Ger.
tain criterion OF what it should be allowed to
earn, or by which to fix i,s rates. Values OF
other kinds OF property tluc;nate. and railroad
property ia NO exception to the rule. II raj =
roads can be constructed and equipped ut from
80 to 50 per cent less now than prior
TO 1873. does 1t follow that the old roads
should be allowed TO charge from 80
to 50 per cent. more than the new ones,
constructed ut nluchleas cost, could reason.
ably charge! 1t should be the policy
OF the state to secure for its great pro-
ducing classes the cheapest rates possible with
consistency ana justice 10 the other interests
involved.
The railroad and warehouse commissioners
have reported to you certain proposed leei-la-
,ion OF great importance. already referred 10
and omnented on by Gov. Hubbard, which
doubt not will receive your earnest considera-
ton am sure you will be glad to adopt any
changes or amendments In the railroad and
cheney and to the usefulness OF the commits
sion, aud shall not trespass on your time to
call ate ntion to them IN detail.
TAXATION OF RAILROADS.
1t appears plain that new and definite legif-
lation is needed on the subject Of railroad tax
alton. The commissioners seem to be in
doubt concerning the liability OF any railroad
company, which has not formally accepted the
provisions OF the law of March. 1873, relating
to the taxation OF the St. Paul, saltwater &
Taylor's Falls Rsilroad company to even pay
per centum Of It's earnings, in lieu Of taxes,
uDder existing legislation. This liability
should be so definitely settled that there could
be no question about 1t In any Gaze. It seems
desirable that the whole subject be inquired
into by the legislature, and plain and con-
eistent law enacted. The law in
force il 80 indefinite and obscure that several
enits have already been carried to the supreme
court for construction of it's meaning. Be-
sides, It 10 we'll known that the intention Of
the law 10 being continually abused by railroad
companies. I mean that feature Of it which
imposes . tax on new roads of but per centum
on gross earnings for the first three years, 2
per centum during the next seven years, and
. per centum thereafter. As . result Of the
favor shown IN the law to new roads, the spurs
and branches built for the old roads. Is di.
rect part OF their systems and regularly oper-
ated with them IS part of one
property or railroad. are, a. . rule. built
by new corporations for the sake Of the ex.
emption extended to new roads. In this way
1t happens that while the gross earnings In the
state for the pact year increased S256, O95 SO,
the taxes. or percentage in lien Of taxes. de-
creased g. b30.S2. In view Of these facts, and
of the large amount Of property held by the
railroad companies exempt from taxation, I
recommend that the Law be amended 90 as to
compel all railroad lines hereafter to be built
and operated to pay TO the state the full three
per centum on their gross earnings, in lien Of
taxes, from the start.
TAXATION OF RAILROAD LANDS.
The large quantities Of lands held BY the
various railroad companies free from taxation
is . subject which has attracted the attention
Of the people Of the state. There fs An evil
dent impression In the minds Of many that
some action csn or ought to be taken looking
to the taxation Of such lands. They lie
largely In the more epsrsely settled portions Of
the state, where the people are struggling
sgsintt great odds to make homes for them
selves and their posterity. Court houses and
other county buildings are to be erected and
paid for; school houses built and schools
roads opened and worked-in
short, all the necessary adjuncts to thriving
community are to be called into being by the
efforts and money of the hardy pioneer.
Every other section, or more perhaps. OF the
land in the co unity or district in which he has
settled belongs to some one Of these giant
corporations. and is held by 1t freed from any
liability to contribute farthiDg to the i'm.
provement which lie constantly and rapidly
enhancing the value Of its holdings. The
question of the taxability Of these lands has
been in a number of cases and in different
forms before our supreme court. In almost
every such instance the state has been met
with the provisions contained in the charters
OF these companies which grant immunity
from taxation until q sale or conveyance of
such lands! 1t is for you to thoroughly in
vestigate the status Of such lands and gee il
there is any way by which you can obtain re-
lief to the people in this matter. T..
GRAIN STORAGE By RAILROAD COMPANIES.
In connection with the legislation proposed
would suggest for your consideration whether
1t Is not both right and practicable that the
railway companies, which handle nearly all of
the grain raised for market in the state, should
not be required, when not receiving the same
into cars directly upon delivery to them, to
furnish storage for it in elevators or grain
houses at the stations where the grain is re-
ceived for shipment, free Of expense to the
shipper. Is there any sound reason for max
ing grain an exception to the general rule that
common carriers shall receive freight, and IL
not shipped at once. shall furnish storage from
the time 1t Is offered for shipment until ready to
be delivered to the consignee? That such
requirement would involve the companies in
much expense aud no little In convenience at
tirst must be admitted. and If the system
should be inaugurated q reasonable time
should certainly DO given the companies 10
furnish suitable storage structures. The pro-
posed plan might, to a limited extent, displace
elevators and grain houses now employed by
other companies or persons. but doubt II its
effect In this direction would be material. The
greater part OF the grain now received by such
houses is not delivered for transportation, but
s either sold for cash or receipts are taken by
the producer with intent to cell at future day
and without shipping from the receiving STA.
lion. We're the plan suggested TO be put in
operation it 10 not perce lived that 1t would
lNrERFERE WITH THE FACILITIES FOR BUYING,
receiving or storing OF grain wherever such
traffic 10 or could be carried on, bat 1t would
stimulate railroad companies to pro.
Tide, as far AZ possible, the necessary cars for
he immediate shipment OF grain ~ offered.
No grain. OF course, would be delivered to tho
companies but such rs the owners desired to
have immediately shipped. The most obvious
reason for making grain an exception to the
rule In sections where raised In great abund-
ance is that tho bulk OF the crop intended for